TAMPA, Fla. – They took the field without their captain, gathering in the grass of right field on Steinbrenner Field, plodding through a series of running activities in which Derek Jeter could not partake.

Jeter emerged from the Yankees clubhouse 20 minutes later, jogging on his surgically-repaired left ankle through cheers from the crowd, ready for the first full-squad workout. He grabbed a baseball and began throwing to utility infielder Eduardo Nunez. Later, he field grounders and took batting practice. He did not run the bases. He did not need to show his range in the field, or test his lateral mobility.

He emerged unscathed, his body sore but his ankle steady. Jeter admitted he was “a couple weeks behind” his normal schedule, but still feels on track for Opening Day. Manager Joe Girardi again insisted there was no set time when Jeter was scheduled to run on flat ground, let alone debut in the Grapefruit League.

“There’s a plan that we’ll increase [his activity] a little each day,” Girardi said. “And he’ll get stronger each day. We’ll get him in a game when we get him in a game.”

He added, “But it’s really nice to see him on the field. The last time I saw him on the field, I was helping him off. And that’s not a good feeling.”

Jeter is inching his way back to 100 percent after ankle surgery last October. Thus far, he has only run on a treadmill. He still undergoes exercises designed to improve his range of motion.

He maneuvered around the field cautiously during infield drills on Monday, looping throws to first base. Afterward, he batted with the first group of hitters, causing the crowd to applaud when he slashed an opposite-field line drive.

Later, as he walked out of the cage, a woman held up a poster of his and called out, “Derek, will you sign?”

“Girardi won’t let us sign right now, ma’am,” Jeter replied.

Girardi turned and held up three fingers. “He’ll be done in three minutes,” he said.

Jeter scribbled autographs for a few minutes before disappearing into the clubhouse. At his locker later that afternoon, he discussed a variety of topics. He admitted he would miss playing in the World Baseball Classic. He explained he did not use a motorized scooter after his ankle surgery – he powered the scooter with his healthy right leg. And he harbored little doubt about his eventual readiness for the year.

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Relief prospect Mark Montgomery has been sidelined by back spasms, and will miss a few days of workouts. Montgomery, a 22-year-old with a hellacious slider, has an outside chance of making the club as a reliever. He struck out 99 batters in 64 1/3 innings last season between Class-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton.